Chapter 204

After wandering around outside for a bit, Sophia made her way back to her room.

As she pushed the door open, darkness enveloped the room, a stark contrast to the lights that were on just moments ago.

Confused, Sophia was reaching for the light switch when a strong arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her close.

Recognizing the familiar scent and embrace, Sophia hesitated for a moment before quipping, "You know, too much of a good thing can be bad for you."

"Can it?" a deep, gravelly voice rumbled near her ear.

William's large hand began to explore Sophia's figure.

Frowning, Sophia intercepted William's wandering hand, "Let's head back."

The noise outside was getting to her, stirring up restlessness within.

Wordlessly, William scooped Sophia up and settled her on the sofa.

In the dimness, Sophia straddled William, meeting his intense gaze, "What's on your mind?"

Everything seemed fine earlier, but William's demeanor had shifted after her brief outing.

"Nothing," he replied tersely.

William stayed silent, his fingers tracing a path from Sophia's cheek down to her neck.

His touch felt more like a predator's caress than a lover's.

Sophia shivered at the icy coldness of his hand, the chill seeping into her skin.

In the shadows, Sophia studied William's tense profile and asked, "Is something bothering you?"

Despite his denial, William's expression hinted at underlying issues.

"No," he insisted.

Pulling Sophia closer, William held her tightly, as if trying to meld their bodies together.

Out of Sophia's view, his fingers threaded through her hair with delicate care, yet his eyes held a chilling intensity.

A chill crept over Sophia, a sense of impending danger making her fear William might suddenly turn aggressive and slam her against the wall.

An unsettling tension hung heavy in the room.

Both stayed quiet.

After a beat, Sophia broke the silence, "Can we head home?"

The grip around her waist tightened ever so slightly.

Returning William's embrace, Sophia nestled her head against his neck, whispering, "I just need to rest."

William remained silent.

His eyes closed, and a flurry of images flashed through his mind.

It was as if two opposing forces were at war within him.

One urged him to trust the present Sophia.

The other berated him, labeling him a fool for trusting so easily after past betrayals.

The internal struggle raged on.

Abruptly shaking his head, William pushed aside his inner turmoil.

Relaxing his clenched fist, he managed a faint smile, "Why leave? Isn't it nice here?"

It wasn't nice.

Here was safe, but Sophia didn't want safety.

Muffled, Sophia insisted, "I want to go back to our own place."

Another silence settled between them.

Eventually, William relented, "Alright, let's head home."

He hit the gas, speeding away.

Upon reaching their residence, William suddenly remarked, "There's still work at the office, you go on ahead."

"Okay."

As Sophia exited the car, William didn't spare her a glance, revving the engine and disappearing into the night, the sound fading into the distance.

Sophia furrowed her brow slightly and made her way upstairs.

At the Johnson Estate, the festivities continued.

Young adults frolicked around the pool.

Amelia had taken Safe back to their room.

Exhausted from a day outdoors, Safe was now fast asleep, occasionally blowing bubbles.

Amelia's warm smile enveloped Ava, "Ava, you've had a long day too. Go on, rest now. I'm here, and so are the others."

"No, I promised Mrs. Johnson I'd take good care of Safe."

Ava couldn't tear herself away from the adorable Safe, spending time with him daily out of sheer boredom since Sophia had returned to the penthouse.

"If you adore kids that much, why not have one of your own?" Amelia suggested, pulling out a stack of photos, "Look, you practically grew up alongside these folks. Any favorites?"

Ava was left speechless.

Words weren't necessary.

Forced smile in place, Ava replied, "Thanks for caring, but that's not on my mind right now."

"You little troublemaker."

Before Amelia could say more, a commotion erupted outside the door.

"What's happening? You can't barge in there, that's Mrs. Johnson's room."

Knocking sounded.

Before Amelia could react, the door burst open from outside, and two masked figures stormed in, muffling Ava's cries and forcibly dragging her away.

Events unfolded rapidly, leaving Amelia to snap back to reality and urgently call out, "Quick, help!"

In the dungeon, William perched at the edge, observing the assortment of creatures within - snakes, insects, rats, ants - and casually tossed in a chunk of raw meat.

Instantly, the creatures swarmed the meat, devouring it in no time.

Amidst the chaos, Ava, bound and silenced, was unceremoniously thrown into the dungeon.

Ava's body collided with the ground with a thud.

Grimacing in pain, she lifted her gaze to meet William's eyes, fear and dread evident in her shrinking pupils.

William's smile was chilling, his gaze piercing, "Do you know who the boss is?"

His deep voice reverberated through the empty dungeon.

Ava trembled, swiftly responding, "Of course, it's you."

"Really? Have you ever fibbed to me?" William's intense gaze bore into Ava, his eyes icy and menacing.

Nervously, Ava swallowed hard, shaking her head resolutely despite her fear.

"Is that so? You've got one shot, think real hard before you spill."

Lounging back casually, William sauntered closer, toying with a dagger in his hand.

In the dim light, the dagger glinted ominously.

William's lips parted slightly, "Heard you went to the racetrack to bring me some afternoon tea. Why weren't you with Mrs. Johnson that day? What was she up to?"

"I..."

Ava's lashes fluttered as she hesitated, "That day, Mrs. Johnson was missing you terribly, so she sent us to deliver your tea. I didn't see you in person. Mrs. Johnson was busy tending to her plants at home, feeling worn out from her pregnancy, and she dozed off in her room for a few hours."

"Are you certain?"

William chuckled, a crazed sound filling the air, his eyes gleaming with icy madness.

Their gazes locked.

It was all over.

Ava's heart clenched.

She had blundered gravely.

Months had passed since the incident; how could she recall the details so vividly?

These were the exact words she and Sophia had exchanged back then, etched in her memory, spilling out without much thought.

Exposing a fatal flaw, rising slowly, William advanced step by step.

Each footfall felt like a blow to Ava's heart.

Ava trembled violently, inching back continuously.

But the dungeon loomed behind her, and as Ava glanced down, a shiver ran down her spine. Closing her eyes, she whispered, "Mr. Johnson, I messed up."

"Spill it, this is your final shot." William drew nearer, the dagger grazing Ava's neck, "What happens if I make a move? The rats down here have a taste for heads, you know?"